How Patriots Defenders Explained Costly Mistake Vs. Seahawks

FOXBORO, Mass. — Two of the Patriots’ best players combined for one of the team’s biggest mistakes in New England’s 23-20 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Patriots safety Kyle Dugger took responsibility for the botched defensive call that allowed Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf to race past New England cornerback Christian Gonzalez for a first-quarter touchdown. Metcalf got past the secondary and ran into the end zone untouched on arguably the biggest play of the contest.

“We were in max blitz coverage, and it was just a bad read by myself,” said Dugger, indicating he expected a quick pass from Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. “They caught us in a call that was kind of problematic.”

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Gonzalez claimed there was “miscommunication” between him and Dugger on the play. The second-year cornerback did not throw his teammate under the bus, though.

“You can’t hide that in the secondary,” Gonzalez said. “When that happens in the secondary, it goes for a big play. We’ll get it fixed, and be all right.”

Gonzalez added: “We pride ourselves on being versatile and being able to move around and do different things. We’ll fix it. Everybody makes mistakes. It’s a mistake early in the season and we’ll get it fixed.”

Metcalf finished with 10 receptions for 129 yards and one touchdown. Gonzalez, however, fared well against the star wideout and allowed only three receptions on seven targets, per Next Gen Stats.

The Patriots will try to put that miscue behind them as they get ready to travel to the New York Jets on Thursday night.